About

Note: This Kickstarter page is written in both English and Japanese in order to accommodate Japanese fans who would like to help support the effort to bring this title to English-speakers around the world.

Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shojo (Wheel Country, Sunflower Girl) is a Japanese visual novel (choose-your-own-adventure styled game) that has touched the hearts and blown the minds of countless fans. With this official localization project, we’d like to faithfully share all of its wonder and feels with the English-speaking world.

This visual novel game was first released by AKABEi SOFT2 in 2005 (exclusively in Japan), and retains an enormous following to this day. This project will take the Consumer Version (Xbox 360, PSP, PS3) of the game and, based off it, create a full English, Deluxe Version for PC (Windows). Our official English localization will provide a faithful and natural translation of the original Japanese only possible with a deep understanding and appreciation of the game, its setting, and its story. It will lightly reference existing scripts with permission from TLWiki, and be significantly reworked and improved. In addition, newly added scenes in the all-ages edition will feature brand new translations from our team.

This project is a collaboration between AKABEi SOFT2 and Frontwing, two visual novel developers in Japan, with operations handled by Tokyo Otaku Mode, an online shopping, news, and art website which delivers Japanese pop culture content to the world.

There are still few instances of Japanese game developers successfully releasing visual novels overseas on their own. A quality localization requires a bilingual team with a deep understanding of the game’s story and setting, countless editing passes and discussions regarding translation choices, and a whole lot of creativity, imagination, patience, and hard work. For this ambitious undertaking, we ask for your support.

With this project, we hope to not only deliver an amazing title such as Sharin no Kuni (Wheel Country) to the world, but to raise recognition for Japanese visual novel developers, and pave the way for more great titles to reach people throughout the world.

As a token of our sincere gratitude, we are preparing an assortment of exciting rewards for our backers. From the game’s character artist, Alpha, we will have signed canvas prints, hand-drawn and signed autograph boards, and character art bed sheets featuring brand new illustrations just for you!

A society which imposes special "Duties" upon everyone who breaks the law.

The individuals who oversee these criminals' rehabilitation are the "Special Elite"—a rank the protagonist, Kenichi Morita, hopes to attain. To do that, he must pass his final exam, for which he arrives at a certain country town.

At the school Kenichi attends, he encounters girls bound by various “Duties.” Those obligated "to observe a 12-hour day" are forbidden from being awake for more than 12 hours per day, and those obligated "to remain in infancy" cannot grow up. It is meeting Natsumi Hinata, however, the girl who "cannot fall in love," that throws him out of gear.

Soon, Kenichi makes a series of odd discoveries… His own grave, erected secretly on a clifftop; his patrimony, hidden deep inside a cavern. Kenichi finds that he must search for his own atonement in this dystopian society. What is the truth behind the Wheel Country? Discover for yourself through Kenichi's eyes!

A touching story with a deeply profound message depicted with a serene touch and moments of lighthearted comedy, this visual novel is simply worth the experience, for both old fans and new!

有葉先生が直筆であなたが望むヒロイン3名（なつみ or さち or とうか）のイラスト色紙を描き下ろしてくれます。世界でたった1枚、あなたのために描き下ろされた原画を手に入れましょう。そしてもうひとつのツアー体験では、一般的な日本観光では絶対に味わえない、ビジュアルノベルゲームファンにとっては一生忘れられないような特別な体験をご提供します。ここでは書ききれないほどの豊富な詳細は、アップデートをご覧ください。 URL：https://goo.gl/EBVjkP

This project is an enormous undertaking, involving the combined teamwork of the various companies, teams, and talented individuals below.

このプロジェクトは、以下の様々な企業やチーム、クリエイターがチームとして関わっています。

Development: AKABEi SOFT2

Developer of visual novels since 2005. Under the company's numerous affiliate brands, AKABEi has released a wide variety of games, including flagship titles such as Sharin no Kuni (Wheel Country) and G-senjou no Maou (The Devil on G-String), which was localized and published by Sekai Project in 2015. These games are celebrated for their unpredictable plot twists and memorable characters.

In this project, AKABEi SOFT2 will be responsible for handling software development.

A popular illustrator known for the delicate touch she brings to her renditions of female characters. The most prominent examples of her work are Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shoujo and G Senjou no Maou. Her latest work is Boku no Hitori Sensou, which was released in 2015. Alongside her recent illustrations for light novels, Alpha's art is currently on display at the Eshi 100 Exhibit, a national event sponsored by Sankei Shimbun.

In addition to creating the art for this visual novel, Alpha is also contributing her artwork and hand-signed goods as rewards for backers of this project.

A writer whose stories have gained widespread appeal for their highly dramatic scenes and clever plot devices. Both Sharin no Kuni and Loose Boy's later work G-senjou no Maou were critically acclaimed, and retain a large Japanese fanbase even after so many years. His latest work is Boku no Hitori Sensou, which was released in 2015. Loose Boy is still very active on the scene, penning light novels as well as writing for games.

A visual novel game developer since April 1999. Since the release of their first title Canary (Canaria: Kono Omoi o Uta ni Nosete) in August of 2000, they have published numerous titles in the visual novel genre. From school life love stories to hardcore adult games, as well as titles which utilize 3D computer graphics, their creations cover a diverse range of genres. Their games and characters have come to represent the world of bishojo games. Frontwing’s most well-known game series is the Grisaia trilogy, which received an anime adaptation in 2015. Its first installment, The Fruit of Grisaia, is widely acclaimed and available on Steam, and the other two games are still undergoing localization into English.

In this project, Frontwing will take charge of translation text revisions, project planning, and publishing.

A brand new in-house translation team formed to localize games for the English-speaking market. Every member of the team is a native, or native-level, speaker of English. They are experienced in translating games, anime and manga, and have spent many years studying Japanese and Japanese-English translation. The team recently worked on "The Leisure of Grisaia," which was released in May 2016.

"Hi everyone, it's great to finally meet you all! As fans of the game ourselves, we are committed to creating a definitive version of Sharin that does justice to the original work. While we can't reply to questions and comments individually, we know how important it is to respect and listen to fans of the game. With little information about who we are, it's understandable that people may have some misgivings about us, but we hope we can begin to build trust with everyone from this point on."

The ultimate online destination for fans of Japanese pop culture. Centered on Japanese anime, manga, and games, Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) sells a wide variety of products, provides the latest Japanese pop-culture news, and exhibits the creations of talented artists to the world. With a mission to bring happiness to people around the world through otaku culture, Tokyo Otaku Mode has established a global media presence in over 100 countries worldwide.

In this project, Tokyo Otaku Mode will handle operations, including reward distribution, account handling, as well as assisting with promotion and customer support.

Campaign

Risks and challenges

Regarding refunds after the Kickstarter campaign has ended :
Once the campaign has ended, we will allocate the funds we have gathered to fulfilling the project as soon as possible. As such, we will not be able to offer any refunds once 21 days have passed following the end of the campaign period. However, exceptions will be made in the case of a grievous mistake or negligence on our part.

Regarding backer survey responses :
After the campaign period has ended, we will send a mandatory survey to our backers through Kickstarter or BackerKit to request information required for reward delivery. If we do not receive a response within 14 days after sending out the initial survey, rewards of the backer in question will be forfeited. Please note that if we receive a response after the 14-day period, we cannot guarantee fulfillment of reward delivery.

Regarding product development and reward shipment delays :
This project is being fulfilled by a professional team of creators and socially responsible businesses experienced in product development and delivery. Unless some catastrophic, unforeseen or natural disaster occurs, we guarantee delivery of the final product.

According to strict budget calculations and schedule confirmations, we expect that we will be able to deliver digital rewards by December 2016 and physical rewards by February 2017. However, as our ultimate goal is to deliver content of the highest quality for the enjoyment of our backers, please understand that depending on real-time schedule adjustments and progress, estimated shipment dates of rewards may be revised. In addition, please understand that shipping delays may also occur due to customs, strikes, and other factors which affect international shipping.

Please rest assured that we always maintain open and transparent communication with our backers. Should delays be expected, we will notify all backers immediately.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $40 or more
About $40

[Digital Boom ~Early Bird~]

The first few backers can receive at the Early Bird price:
・Access to BackerKit
・Steam Key for full digital access to the localized game!
・Original soundtrack digitally in MP3 format
・Official art book digitally in PDF format

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $80 or more
About $80

[Fairy Tale Friends ~Early Bird~]

The first few backers can receive at the Early Bird price:
・Access to BackerKit
・A physical copy of the localized game (Windows) in a deluxe game box!
・A thank-you letter
・A physical copy of the original soundtrack CD!
・A physical copy of the official art book!

Enjoy the full set of content produced for this game as if you bought it at the store in Akihabara!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $90 or more
About $90

[Fairy Tale Friends]

Receive:
・Access to BackerKit
・A physical copy of the localized game (Windows) in a deluxe game box!
・A thank-you letter
・A physical copy of the original soundtrack CD!
・A physical copy of the official art book!

Enjoy the full set of content produced for this game as if you bought it at the store in Akihabara!

Pledge $600 or more
About $600

[Special Elite Cadet]

Receive your very own case - much like the one Kenichi is always seen with - featuring the Sharin no Kuni logo on the front. Your case will open up to reveal the rest of your rewards tucked away inside! (Case size: 440 x 320 mm)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

[Everlasting Summer]

All of the $600 pledge rewards, plus:
・A canvas print autographed by the character artist Alpha
・Your name in the ending credits as a member of the Special Elite
・A Special Elite Badge

13 backers who offer their enormous support to this project will be properly honored with their names living on eternally in the ending credits of the game as members of the Special Elite, and will receive exclusive, hand-signed canvas prints from the character artist, Alpha.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

[Survivor of the Southern Conflict]

All of the $1500 pledge rewards, plus:
・A one-of-a-kind shikishi, drawn and autographed by the character artist Alpha
・A once-in-a-lifetime Tokyo tour experience!

Wow. First pick one heroine of your choice between Natsumi, Sachi, or Touka, because the character designer Alpha is going to pick up a shikishi board, draw her, and autograph it, just for you!
Next, pack your bags because we’re taking you on a tour of Tokyo that no ordinary travel agency could provide. This will definitely be an unforgettable experience for visual novel fans. For all the juicy details on the tour, please view this update: https://goo.gl/EBVjkP